EMS

EMS VCS-3 (The Putney)

$0.00
In Stock -
EMS VCS-3 (The Putney) - Synth Palace
EMS VCS-3 (The Putney) - Synth Palace

EMS VCS-3 (The Putney)

$0.00
In Stock -
$0.00
- +
Details
  • SKU: syn-128
  • Brand: EMS
  • Type: Synthesizer
  • Availability: In Stock
Description

Video

Story

The VCS3 (nicknamed the Putney) is an analog monosynth housed in a distinctive angled wooden case, a truly classic synth. EMS (Electronic Music Studios) was created in England back in 1969. The VCS3 was one of their first synths and it is still a great, unique, funky little unit! Pictured above is the Mark I model. Pictured is another unit with the small wood-cased DK2 voltage-control keyboard required to play the VCS3.

It has three oscillators, and a unique matrix-based patch system. Instead of patch wires, the VCS3 uses a patchbay grid in which the synth components are laid out, and signal routing is accomplished by placing small pins into the appropriate slots. The VCS3 was, in actuality, a modular type synthesizer reduced down to an extremely portable size.

It generates familiar sci-fi sounds (Dr. Who) and other truly analog sounds. Unfortunately, the oscillators tend to drift out of tune. There's a Noise Generator, 2 Input Amplifiers, 1 Ring Modulator, 1 Voltage Controlled Low Pass Filter (VCF), 1 Trapezoid Envelope Generator, Joy-Stick Controller, Voltage Controlled Spring Reverb unit and 2 Stereo Output Amplifiers.

Additionally, the VCS3 was also sold in a plastic breif-case and called the Synthi A. The major Synthi 100system was based on three VCS3's strung together. Some ultra-rare commercially unavailable synths EMS made include the VCS4 in 1969 which was basically 2 VCS3's plus a keyboard. And the Synthi Keyboard 1 of 1970 was just a VCS3 with a mini 29-note keyboard.


Many of these EMS synth's have been used by Brian Eno, Tangerine Dream, Pink Floyd, Stereolab, Yes, Aphex Twin, Autechre, Jean-Michel Jarre, Astral Projection, Klaus Schulze, Depeche Mode, Vince Clarke, Add N to (X), The Who, Todd Rundgren, Recoil, Freddy Fresh, John Paul Jones and many more.

Specifications

Polyphony: Monophonic

Oscillators: 3 VCO's - Subtractive / FM analog synthesis

Filter: Low Pass VCF

VCA: Trapezoid waveshape Envelope generator

LFO: Yes

Keyboard: No keyboard, needs an external CV/gate keyboard controller such as the EMS DK2

Memory: None

Control: CV/GATE

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